Friday 17.06.2011 - with a very clean bike we continued our southward journey and bid farewell to Scotland, beautiful Scotland. Greg could happily spend six months a year in Scotland, the warm months of course!

Because the P-D had a well earned bath yesterday we decided to try and avoid the rain if possible. Fortune smiled on us because it seemed the only part of the UK today that was devoid of rain was the east coast of southern Scotland leading towards Newcastle Upon Tyne. Perfect!

On route southbound was off the beaten track and we managed to avoid any motorways. As we crossed the border and entered England we travelled through the very small village of Coldstream which is the home of the Coldstream Guards, the oldest regiment in the British Army. The Coldstream Guards were raised on the order of Oliver CROMWELL in 1650 and gained their name and fame when in 1660 under the command of General MONCK they crossed the River Tweed (a coldstream) and marched to London to save the Parliament. Their moto is Nulli Secundus which means Second to None.

We found that the village had a very interesting shop showing and selling all sorts of Coldstream Guard memorabilia. The shop manager, Trevor was a past Guardsman and he looked fit enough to lug a pack even today. In the basement was a display of uniforms past & present and all for sale. Kerrie wanted to know if Greg wanted to play soldiers and buy anything but he said he had had enough of playing soldiers.


Greg works with Scott KAY. Scott came to England as a 19 year old to play cricket for six months and ended up staying for 18 years marrying Tina, an English rose and settling in Morpeth. Scott worked as a detective for Northumbria Police based in Newcastle before relocating with his family to Queensland several years ago. Scott told Greg that Morpeth was great little village to live so the plan was set - check out Morpeth.


After wandering around Morpeth for several hours Kerrie said she understood what Scott was on about. She said Morpeth "felt right", much as Narbonne in the south of France had felt to both of us. One of those places you immediately feel comfortable in. Thanks for the tip Scott.


We found a lovely Italian restaurant called Gianni's right in the middle of the village, drawn in by the delicious smells wafting down the street as we approached it. Gianni told us he left his home in Tuscany 36 years ago to get away from his parents and has been in Morpeth for the last 24 years. He said when he retires he plans to go back to Tuscany to live. Guess his parents have passed on?


We found that Morpeth also had its own castle, and true to from it was right on top of a hill. Never mind, feeling fresh and fit we hoofed it up the hill to check it out.


Yes, Morpeth is a magical place.